Braves reportedly have tried to trade Olivera (who has zero value)

Passan quoted two unnamed sources on the Olivera issue in his "10 degrees" notes column. The item included this excerpt: "One executive whom the Braves queried about any interest in Olivera (said): 'I can’t believe they even asked.''

No kidding. To suggest Olivera's market value is down would be an understatement. He has had only 98 major league at-bats and is hitting .245, including .211 this season (4-for-21). The Los Angeles Dodgers paid his $28 million signing bonus but the Braves are responsible for approximately $32 million in salary for five seasons (through 2020). So any team acquiring Olivera would be risking paying a lot of money for a player who probably won't produce quickly (if ever), given his legal entanglements and a lack of major league experience.

The Dodgers made the strange decision to deal Olivera only two months after outbidding other clubs for him and were willing to pay the bonus. That should have set off warning bells. But the Braves, in need of  improving their lineup, traded starting pitcher Alex Wood and prospect Jose Peraza to L.A. as part of a three-team trade with Miami.

Even with Wood currently struggling with the Dodgers and Peraza since traded, this deal has the potential to be a disaster for the Braves, given the financial commitment to Olivera, and that Wood and Peraza were young and modestly paid and had upsides.

Then again, when a team is 4-14, it's not like there's a lot of good news.